Type-distributing machine



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L. DOW 8v D. POWERS. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

No. 430,007. PatentedJune 10, 1800.

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(No Model.) I 11 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. DOW 8v D. POWERS.

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No. 430,007. PatentedJune 10, 1890;

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-(No Modeifj 11 Sheets-@Sheet 7.

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No. 430,007. Patentedd'une 10, 1800.

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TYPE DISTRIBUTING MAGHINE. No. 430,007. Patented June 10, 1890.

(No Model.) .11 sheetssheen 9.

' L. DOW 8: D. POWERS.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

No. 430,007l Patented June 10, 1890.

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Patented June 10, 1890.

(No Model.) 11 Sheets- Sheet 11.

L. DOW & D. POWERS. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

No. 430,007. Pate'ntedJune 10, 1890.

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WITIJEEEEE' @.WN gaa/mld am UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

LORENZO DOW AND DANIEL POVERS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TYPE-DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,007, dated June 10, 1890.

Application filed March 27, 1889. Serial No. 304,943. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that we, LORENZO DOW and DANIEL POWERS, citizens of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Distributing Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,

-and exact description of the invention, such to its iinal receptacle.

Figure 1 is an elevation of our improved vtype-distributing machine; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same; Fig. 3, section of the machine on line x, Fig. 2, enlarged. Fig. 4i is a de- Vtail in cross vertical section to show the hammer and its operating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same, also showing a part of the type-carrier in position. Fig. 6 is a Y plan in detail, to show more particularly the shifting arrangement which is to effect ,the second step of the distribution. Fig. '7 is a detail in perspective, enlarged, of the galley and the mechanism for lifting the type to the channel. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of the stop which operates upon the crank. Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views of the galley and the lifter. Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the mechanism for taking a single type from the channel and delivering it in lone of the grooved plates intended for hold- Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of.

ing the type. afew of the cam ends and the ends of the operating-levers. Fig. 13 is a perspective/view, enlarged, of the mechanism for operating the hammer and the gate. Fig, 13 is a detail. Figs. 14. and 15 are enlarged perspective `views of parts of the gate, the hammer, and the type-channel. Fig. 16 is a perspective View of the parts of the gate. Fig. 17 is an end view, partly in section, on line y y of Fig. G.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of the grooved plate that receives the distributed type. Figs. 19 and 2O show method of oonnecting the elastic tubes to the grooved plate. Figs. 2l and 22 show method of attaching the upper end of the elastic tube to the switchplate shown in Fig. G. Fig. 23, Sheet 5, is a rear view of Fig. 6, to show how the switchplate is supported. Fig. 24. is a sectional view of the spring in the drum operating to eject the type.

In the illustration similar letters refer to similar parts of the machine.

A is the frame of the machine.

B is the galley supported by the frame, upon which the dead matter to be distributed is placed.

O is a movable piece intended to be set to support the side of the type-column and adj ustable to the Width of said column; D, the channel into which the end or lowermost line of type on the galley is lifted.

E is a plate on which the type slide on their feet as they stand in the carrier, into which they have been thrust by the hammer beneath each carrier. At the point where the type is to leave it is an opening in the plate E, into which the type falls, the lower end of said carrier being open.A 1

E2 is a plate containing a series of channels arranged vertically under the openings into which the type falls from the carrier, which channels conduct them into the openings of the switch-plate E', through which they pass int-o the elastic tubes E3.

E isa horizontal switch-plate, which serves as a continuation of the elastic tubes E3 and to support the same. This plate is adj ustable to different positions, and is moved into the desired position at the will of the operator to present the mouths of the elastic tubes which are reqiiired to conduct the type in process of distribution to their proper receptacle.

E3 are elastic tubes, attached at their upper ends, as just described, to plate E', and at their lower end to the grooved plate F, designed to convey into the proper grooves thereof the type intended for the same.

In Fig. 7 the galleyis shown set at such an angle that the dead matter will nearly slide down of its own weight as the lowermost line IOO is successively lifted to the channel D. Should the type not move freely, there may be used a weight or follower behind to urge it down. The piece C is movable, and used to sustain one side of the type lying on plate B, and is adjustable to the width of the col umn of type, and is held in place by one end thereof passing round and under plate B, which forms the bottom of the galley, which part is held in position by the set-screw c1, Fig. 3, passing through the same and binding on the plate. c2 is an enlarged bearing of the piece C, which slides on the end of the bottom plate I3 of the galley and serves to keep the movable piece C parallel with the side of the galley, aiding the set-screw cL to hold the same in place.

I) is the channel into which the type are lifted from the galley, extending from the gate end, where the hammer operates to eject the end type, to and along' the lower end of the galley to its outer edge. It is seen in Figs. 9 and l0 that the type in the galley rest against the movable piece D2 at their lower end. In Fig. 9 it will be seen that this piece is thinner at the upper edge than at the lower, and that there is a shoulder at D". When this piece is depressed, the lowermost line of type is seen to have advanced and to rest on this shoulder in Fig. l0. Then the same is raised to its second position7 (seen in Fig. 9,) it carries up the line of type resting upon the shoulder D". IV hen in this position, the shoul der D0 becomes a continuation of the bottom of channel D. The remaining body of type stand, as seen in Fig. 9, in position to again move down upon the depression of D2. This movement up and down of the piece D2 (shown in section in Figs. 9 and l0) at the will of the operator, to supply the type as fast as required in the distribution, is effected as follows:

In Fig. 7 is seen a rack attached to each end of the piece D2, (marked D23) which are actuated by the geared wheels D, one at each end of the shaft D6. Partial rotation of these geared wheels is effected bythe rack (Z, which engages with the right-hand pinion-wheel D1. This rack at its lower end is pivoted to one end of the piece (Z4, Fig. 8. (Z4is also pivoted at the other extremity to the frame A of the machine at (Z5. At the end (ZA1 is seen a pin or small friction-wheel (ZW, that travels on the face of the eccentric cam (Z2. IVhen the crank (Z2 is turned to the left, it rotates the shaft (ZU, carrying with it thercam (Z2,to which it is rigidly attached. This rotation carries down the free end of the piece (Z4, and with it the rack (Z. This rack, engaging with the geared wheel D4, actuates it and the shaft D", with the other wheel D4 at the opposite end. Both these geared wheels, engaging with the racks D2, raise them and the piece D2, to which they are attached. This, as before described, carries up with it aline of type into the channel l). As the rotation of the handle (Z2 continues it carries forward the cam (Z2 until the point of it at (Z7 has passed olf the small friction-wheel (Z. (ZG is a spring, one end attached to the fram c A and the otherend thereof upon the piece (Zl nearits free extremity, to throw it up when the cam (Z3 at its point (Z has passed olf the friction-wheel, which movement of the free end of (Z effects a reverse movement of the piece D2, throwing it down, so that the shoulder DU again passes under a line of type, as seen in Fig. l0.

D, Fig. 7, is a sliding piece moving freely backward and forward within the channel D, and when the line of type has been raised is standing in the channel D behind the said line. This piece D is held from falling when the shoulder D0 descends to take the line of type, by a pin in the frame A, working in a groove D12. Iivoted to the end of this piece D, near its right-hand extremity, is the piece (Z, the lower end of which is attached to the cam (ZS by the stud or pin (Z, working in the slot ('Z in the piece (Z2. lVhen the shaft (ZU is rotated by the crank (Z2, as just described, the cam (Z8, being firmly attached thereto, is rotated. Another small friction-roller on,the pin (Z12, traveling on the face of this cam (Z3, draws back the piece D to allow the lifting of a new line of `type into the channel D. IVhen the small friction-roller (Z12 has passed the point (ZI3 of the cam (Z2, the sliding piece D is behind the line of type and in position to be moved forward, carrying the line of type just lifted from the galley into the channel D before it. This movement of pushing forward the line of type is ell'ected by a coiled spring within the drum D. Around this drum a cord passes, and thence round the small guide-pulley D, and thence to the righthand end of the pusher D, where it is attached to the same by the pinDi. When the rotation of the cam (Z2 has retracted the pusher D, as just explained, toits limit of movement, it has acted against the coiled spring in drum d to wind it up. lVhen the roller (Z2has passed the point of the cam (112, the coiled spring is free to return the pusher D to the position shown in Fig. 7 Every complete revolution of the shaft (Z0 therefore lifts up a line of type into the channel D, and withdraws the pusher D, actuated as explained, and compresses the spring in the drum D, which spring on its release draws forward pusher D, and the line of type behind which it has taken its place, toward the hammer end of channel D; and this process of lifting and pushing forward a line is repeated as often as necessary to supply type in the channel D for the work of distribution. In order that the handle (Z2, actuating shaft (ZU, may be arrested at the right point, a stop e is provided. This stop is shown at c, Fig. 7, as a spring, one end of which is attached to the piece (Z4, the free end acting against the handle (Z2 to limit its movement to a single rotation. Upon handle (Z2 is a movable sleeve c', Figs. 7 and 8, which the operator, when he grasps the handle (Z2, pushes lightly toward IOO IIO

" it is the office of hammer H to thrust the type carrier.

Vother end to the arm b9 at bs.

the arm c3, which connects the handle d2 with The movement of the sleeve c dle d? and allowing another revolution thereof. r Figs. 14, 15, and 16 show a part of the mechanism for pushing the end type standing in `the channel D out from the line and into a As the line of type is pushed or fed forward, as just explained, its movement is arrested by the fixed end piece D00, Fig. 14. contact and throw it forward. This move- -H is the hammer. Preferably it has two faces,

in order to give two points of contact with the type upon which it acts. l

In Fig. 15 is seen the piece K, into which at the end ofthe column. In Fig.' 4 this hammer is seen to be pivoted to`the piece H',

which is attached to the frame'A by the pivot A. Thishammer is actuated by the piece h2 to thrust out the end type before it. The piece h2 is connected at its other extremity to the arm h3, operated -by the shaft h4, Figs. 11 and 13. This shaft h4 is attached to the frame A and partially rotated to operate the hammer by the arm h5, Fig. 13, and by the piece h, at-

'tached at the other extremity to the arm k7, actuated by the shaft H1.l This shaft, supported in brackets A3 at each end, carries two arms H12, which at their extremities carry the piece H4, Fig. 13. This piece or rod H4 lies below and at right angles to all the levers of the key-board and close against their under edge. When any key-lever H5 is depressed,

lit carries down with it this piece H4, and thus actuates the parts j ust described, and the hammer H throwing it forward and expelling the type standingbefore it. The coiled spring 72,8 on the shaft h1 returns the various parts to their former position, ready to thrust out an- 'other type by the depression of any key-lever.

This hammer H was seen in Fig. 4 to be carried by the free end of the piece H which is pivoted to the frame A at A. Since the -thickness of the body of the letters of a single font varies constantly from a hair to a capital W, it is obvious that the hammer must be made to adjust itself automatically to the thickness of the body of the end letter or space standing before it. This is eifected by giving the hammer a lateral movement. l-.low this is done will be seen in Fig. 13. Pivoted to the piece H is the piece b, and this piece at its other extremity is pivoted to the arm b2 at b3. The arm b2 is actuated by the shaft b4, which at the other end is attached tothe arm b6 at b5. This arm is connected at its extremity with the piece b1 and at the This arm is actuated by the shaft h1". At D11 -will be seen the piece Z912, firmly connected to this shaft. This piece Z112 has-a convex face, to which is shown to be attached the piece 1313 by two screws. This allows, by tightening one screw and loosening the other, of adjusting the inclination of the-piece 513. -The upper end of Z913 is shownfasl bent or cut, so as to present an inclined surface to the pivot, on which is mounted a small friction-roller. Each lever of the key-board carries one of these pins.

In Fig. 13 the pin t on the short key-lever H10 is a little farther from the fulcrum of this lever than the one t shown on H5, its adjoining long lever, this lever being cut away to show its pin. The movement of the key downward causes this friction-roller to bear upon the inclined face of B13 at their point of ment of the upper end of 513 actuates the shaft h1, and through the mechanism just described moves the free end of the piece H ,f

which carries the hammer H. The sole office of this short lever H10 is to operate the mechanism described to effect a movement differing in degree from that effected by the lever H5 adjacent to it. On one lever therefore it is only necessary that the pin t should be set a little farther from the fulcrum H7 than the pin t on the other lever, the lever H5 being broken away to cause a more or less'movement of the arm Z913, against which.

they operate. By adjusting these pins so as to give such movement to 1913 as to swing the hammer on the piece H to cover the body of the type standing before it, we effect the desired object. This adjustment will depend on the size of the letter the key represents, I

and is effected by the two adjusting-screws connecting the piece Z213 to the curved face of Z112. In the machine illustrated in the drawings we show, as in Fig. 2, a key-board with thirty keys and thirty supplemental keys carried by short' levers H10. This number admits, then, of sixty adjustments, as each'lever is adjusted to effect a movement of the piece 1913 through the pins t and t according to the thickness of the body of the type represented vby its'key. We do not, however, limit ourselves to thirty keys and thirty supplemental ones on the key-board. i

vHaving shown how the hammer is made automatically to adjust itself to the thickness of the type-body to be pushed out, we now proceed to show how the opening or gate S, through which the type are pushed out by the hammer, is made to automatically adapt itself to the thickness of the type that is to be passed from the end of the channel D to and into the carrier K.

In order that the type as it emerges `from the channel D may not get out of positionthat is, turn on its side-#supports are required to hold it as it moves-out. O11 one side in Fig. 14 it is apparent that the end piece D00 affords this support, extending, as is shown, to the left. Fig. 14 shows the supporting-piece of the other side of the type, which we call, the gate. The piece H2, swinging upon the pivot, carries at the free end two pieces s s of the gate S. In Fig. 14 these pieces s and s are seen when in place to form apart of the side of the channel D, the ends s3 moving in the slots s4 s4, Fig. 16. v VThis is also seen in Fig.

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15, where the end piece D00 is removed. If, then, the piece H2, carrying these pieces at its free end, be adjusted to move synchronously and equally with the movement of the hammer just described, We open and close the exit or channel through which the typo pass into the carrier as required. XVe etfect this, as seen in Figs. 14, 15, and 16,byconnecting together the pieces Il and H2 by the small piece s2. The same thing we also effect by making I-I and H2 a single piece, pivoted at one end at A and the other end carrying both the hammer and the gates. By this means the opening through which the type is pushed corresponds to the thickness of the type-body which the hammer is adjusted to eject.

In the key-board, we have said, we by preference use sixty keys, though we do not limit ourselves to this number, as we find that one hundred and eighty letters and characters are all of a sing'le font commonly used, being nearly all of the printers case. fe have in the machine shown in Fig. 2 used sixty keys. There are in a font of type, say, five letter As, to wit: capital, lower case, small capital, and italic capital and lowercase. The single key operates to push out into the carrier all these, and in addition thereto a iigure, double letter, or a mark, making six to each key-lever. IVe have explained the function of t-he short key-lever H10, operated by the supplemental key H9, Fig. 13, and we have explained how the depression of the key II8 of ythe lever II5 actuates the mechanism to operate the hammer to expel the type standing before it and to adjust the movements of the hammer and the gate to the requirements of the type-bod y acted upon.

le have shown that a single key-lever operates to eject six characters. IVe have also found that the two movements of the hammer and gate, eiected, as we have shown, by the pins t and 1f and their co-operative connections are suliicient to handle these six characters. By these simple means we are able to effect a partial distribution of the one hundred and eighty characters into thirty classes of six characters each. XVe shall next show how a further and inal distribution is elected.

The key-lever H5 carries upon the end opposite to the fulcrumed end a pin, on which is a friction-roller I, acting upon the face of the cam I4. (Shown in Figs. 4, 1l, and 12.) This cam I4 is supported on the shaft I5. This shaft is supported at its lower end by the piece I5, attached to the frame A, and the other extremity by the piece I5, also attached to frame A, one of which pieces I5 is shown in Fig. 1 attached at I5. The elect of depressing the key-lever is t-o cause a partial rotation of the shat't I2 as the friction-roller moves down the face of the cam. This shaft is one of thirty, as shown, and the operation of one will illustrate that of all, as they are in all respects similar. Each of these shafts carries an arm I5, attached near its upper end, as in Fig. 11 at IX. The other extremity of this arm I3 carries the piece I5, having a carrier at its lower end. \Vhcn the key-lever H5 is depressed and the partial rotation of shaft I2 eltected, as just explained, this piece I50 swings to the position shown in the dotted lines, Fig. 1l. The arrival of carrier K to the position shown is coincident with the completion of the movement of the hammer to push out the type at the end of the line. The effect of these coincident .movements is to land the type within the carrier K, standing, as in channel D, on its feet. The moment the key H5, Fig. 11, is released by the finger the coiled spring I7 on shaft I2 carries back the arm to the position as seen at I5. As will be seen in Fig. 5 at 18, the dotted line shows the path of movement of the carrier K to be the are of a circle. All the carriers K are so arranged that these arcs coincide at the point where the pusher thrusts out the type, so that each carrier gets its type whether the arm carrying it be long or short. This is obvious from Fig. 5, where a number of them are shown; also, in Fig. 2, where thirty are shown. It will be seen that the arms are arranged along two sides of an acute angle. Compactness and rapidity of operation are best attained by having this angle something less than ninety degrees. The plate E, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, is a hard and smooth piece of metal on which the type conveyed in carrier K, which is open at its lower extremity, slide, standing on end as the arm swings back to its position, as seen in Figs. i. and 5 at I5. Arranged in this plate E directly under the lower end of these carriers K, which are open at the lower end, as explained, as they stand in the position shown in Fig. 2, are openings e to correspond with the size of type-body the carrier has brought. As soon as the carrier K reaches this position the type within it falls through its corresponding opening in plate E into a channel directly beneath, one of which is shown in section in Fig. 11 at I". Through this channel I9 the type drops into the opening e', directly beneath it, in plate E', Fig. 11, and through this plate and through the channel E3 to its final resting-place in the grooved plate F, Fig. 1l. The plate E5 (shown in Fig. 3) has a series of channels I, which serve only to direct the falling type to the opening in plate E. In plate E2 there are as many channels I5 as there are carriers K bringing type. This plate E2 is rigidly attached to plate E and is held in position by it. Directly below the lower edge of E2 is the switch-plate E', Figs. 3, 6, and 1l. By means of this switch-plate the second step in the distribution of the type is eltected. On emerging from the channels I" in plate E2 the type enter the openings e in the plate E', Figs. 5, 6, and 1l. It will be seen in Fig. i that there are six rows of holes e', of thirty each, corresponding to the six letters and characters, as explained above,

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.delivered by each carrier K. The line of these holes is made to conform to the line of the holes of exit in E2 above, from which the type emerge as they descend, as just eX- plained. This switch-plate E is supported on the movable frame E0, Figs. 3 and 23. This frame rests on its two extremities on the projections E00 of the frame A, and itsmiddle part upon the piece E000, attached to the frame A at e3, Fig. 3. The two projections E00 land the piece E000 carry friction-wheels EX, upon which the frame E0 moves, Fig. 3. Normally, or in ordinary work, the line of holes e numbered 1, Fig. 6, stand under the exit-mouth of the channels in plate E2 and serve to receive the lower-case letters and such other gures or characters as may be desired,which thence pass through the elastic tubes E3 into the grooved plate F. If capital letters are being distributed, the line of holes e numbered 2 is brought under the channels in E2 and receive the type as they emerge therefrom, and so pass through the openings of line 2 and through elastic tubes E3 into the grooved plate F below. When the other let-ters, as small capitals or italic caps or lower case, are being distributed, the line of holes 3, 4, 5, and 6, intended to receive them, is brought under the channels in plate E2 and serves to conduct by the elastic tubes E0 the falling type into their proper grooves in plate F. The movement of the frame E0, carrying plate E', to bring the -holes therein to the positions just described is eifected by five keys, seen in Fig. 6 at E0, and numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 to correspond with the line of holes. Since the line of holes that receives the lower case normally stands under the channels E2, no key is needed. Key number 2 on being depressed moves the frame-carrying plate E',

' so that the line of holes No. 2 comes in position to receive the descending type-say capitals--and so of the other keys respectively. As seen in Fig. 17, which is a section of the machine at y y, Fig. 6, the key is part of a piece E0 held on the shaft E0, which shaft is supported by bearings attached to the frame A at E0. E6 is pivoted at e5 to the piece e, which at its other extremity is hooked over a piece e7 in arm E10, carried by the rockershaft E11. Each of the five keys is in the same Way attached to rocker-shaft E11, as seen in Fig. 6. The depression of one of the numbered keys E0 partially rotates this' rocker-shaft, and thereby actuates a single arm E12, Figs. 6 and 17. The outer end of this arm E12 is pivoted tothe rod or piece E13, which at its other end .is attached to the frame E0 at E11, Fig. 6. It will be seen that thedepression of any of the numbered keys, Fig. 6, partially rotates the rocker-shaft E11, and so actuates E13 to draw the movable frame E0 toward the operator. In Fig. 17 at f is seen pivoted to an arm opposite to the arm e0, carried by the shaft E0, the piece f', theopposite end of .which is pivoted at f2 to one arm of the bell-crank lever f3,which is pivoted'to the projection of the frame A, (marked E00.) The other arm of this bell-crank lever is pivoted at f1 to the movable pin f0 and actuates it.

Through this mechanism the depression of key 2, besides actuating the movable frame E0, as explained, causes the bell-crank lever f3 to move so as to throw the pin f0 in front of the moving shoulder f5 on the frame E0, Fig. 6. The movement of the pin f0 is timed to arrest the framecarrying plate E at a point when the line of holes in plate El number 2 are in position to receive the type descending through the channels of the plate E0. Byasimilar mechanism key 3 would bring the line of holes marked 3 in position -to receive the type intended for them, and to arrest its movement when it has reached its proper position. In like manner the other keys bring their respective lines of holes in position to receive the type intended for them and arrest it there. The coiled spring f7 returns the frame to the normal position when the key is released by the finger, and the coiled spring fs restores the key to the position in Which it stood before depression. The piece f 0 is a rod bent to receive and hold one end of the coiled spring fs, and at its two extremities is attached to the frame A.

As before explained, the rows of holes in the plate E are brought, as required, in line under the channels E2 by depressing the levers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, as required by the kind of letters being distributed. These holes (seen in this plate, Fig. 6) are' the openings or mouths of thetubes E0,'(shown in Figs. l and- 3,) which are attached to the lower side of E', so that each is a continuous channel from said plate to some groove designated for the particular letter which that channel conducts. In order that this plate E may move freely, it is necessary that the tubes E3 should be iiexible and elastic. This We effect bymaking them of coiled Wire formed into the proper shape tol allow the type which it isvto convey to pass freely Without turning round or getting out of position as they fall into place, as

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seen in Fig. 11. Plate E', Figs. 6 and 1l,may

be made of a single piece; but for convenience of attaching the tubes and of removing the same, should it become necessary, we have preferred to make them in pieces, as shown in Fig. 6, in which each piece is made separate and removable, the ends resting on part of the movable frame E0 in Figs. 3 and 23. The tubes, preferably of coiled wire compressed upon a former to the proper size, aiford all the flexibility and elasticity required and allow the type to fall through them freely. The Wire tubes for convenience are attached to a piece of thin metal, formed as shown inFig. 22. The upper end is held in the plate E by its enlarged end. y

The lower end of the Wire tube E3 is attached to a piece shown in Figs. 19and 20. The upper part of this piece in Fig. 19, at m2, is bent around the lower end of the Wire tube and holds it irmly. The lower end m3 is bent to form a hook, which, as seen in Fig. 23, engages with the piece 7711, attached to the grooved plate F at mi. The elasticity of the tube E11 holds the hook m3 in position. lVhen the type has descended into its appropriate groove in plate F, Fig. 11, standing on its feet, as seen in Fig. 18 at fn, it must be pushed forward in order to admit the one following it into the same groove. This is effected by a hammer or pusher F for each grooveor channel, as seen in Figs. 3, 11, and 18. They are arranged on the shaft Fi, which aetuatcs them to move each timea key is depressed slightly forward sufficient to push forward any type that may stand before any one of them. There is one of these hammers at the upper end of each groove or channel and prevents the type that has descended into position falling out, as seen in Fig. 1S. The plate F is given a little descent, so th-at the type in the channels, when rightcd upon their feet, lean away from the hammer. For convenience and compactness there should be four plates F, each grooved to carry one-quarter of the number of characters to be distributed, as shown in Fig. 1. In our machin e now shown,which wehave tried and found very convenient, each plate has forty-tive grooves or channels. The two upper plates F, Fig. 1, are to contain the most used characters, and the two lower ones those less frequently required. Then one of these channels becomes full, the type are slid into a movable channel and removed to the setting-machine. Motion is given to the shaft F2, which carries the hammers F', by the arm g, Fig. 3, which is pivoted at its outer end to the rod g. This rod gy is pivoted at its upper end to the arm g2 on a rocker-shaft g3, having' at its other end an arm g5, to which is attached the rod g1, the upper end of which is pivoted to the arm h1 H12, attached to the shaft H3, Figs. 13 and 3. XVe have explained howtheliey-boardllactuates the shaft. Then anykey of thekey-leveris depressed, motion is given to the arm g, which is connected to the shaft F2, as explained, and so to the hammers acting at the upper end of the channels in the grooved plate F, so that the movement of any key aetuates all the hammers.

IVhat we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent in type-distributing machines, is-

1. The lifting-piece D2, the pusher D11 and channel D, in combination with the automatically-adjustable hammer and gate H H2, as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. The lifting-piece D2, in combination with the rack D3, the pinion D1, the rack d., the lever d'1, having a friction-roller (Z13, the cam (Z3, shaft al, and thecrank c3 (Z2, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination of the pusher D11, the lever d, having the friction-roller (112 ,with the cam d8, shaft d, and crank ci3 (Z2, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination of the lifting-piece D2 and the rack D3 with the pinion D1, rack CZ, lever d, and spring d, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination of handle (Z2 and the crank cf1 with sleeve c, spring c2, and spring c, all operating together substantially as set forth, and for the purposes described.

U. In combination, the hammer II, piece h2, arm h, shaft 71,1, arm 71,5, the piece 7L, the arm h1 H12, mounted on the rock-shaft H1", and piece H1 with the key-lever lI1,substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination of the automaticallyadjustable hammer Il, pivoted pieces II Il2 piece l), arm b2, shaft b1, arm U1, the piece b', arm b, shaft D111, and the pieces D12 and D151 with the key-lever H5 and H111, having' t-he frictionrollers t if, as and for the purposes described.

8. In combination, the carrier Ii with the plate E, the channels I, the switch-plate E with the tubes E3, and grooved plate F, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination of the carrier K, the shaft I2, and cam I1 with the key-lever H5, having the friction-roller I, substantially as described, and for the purposes described.

10. The combination of the pusher F', shaft F2, arm g, rod G', arms g2, mounted on shaft g3, rod g", arm W H12, mounted on shaft H3, with the key-lever H5, and the piece or rod H4, lying below and at right angles and close against the under edge of the lever H11, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

11. The combination of the switch-plate E with rod or piece E11, arms E10 and E12, mounted on shaft E11, piece c, and lever E1", substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

12. The combination of the switch-plate E', rod or piece E13, arms E12, mounted on shaft E11, piece c and E10, the lever E1 with the piece j, bell-crank lever f3, and pin f, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a type-distributing device substantially as described, an automatically-adjustable hammer eombined with a gate for controlling the ejectment of the type, and akcyboard, and mechanism, substantially as described, between the hammer and key-board, as set forth, whereby the type can be classified according to the thickness of their bodies, substantially as described.

11. In a type-distributing device substantially as described, the combination of a keyboard and its connections, and mechanism, substantially as described, between the hammer-gate and key-board, as set forth, with the adjustable hammer and gate, the carrier K, and a switch-plate, as and for the purposes described.

15. The combination, in atype-dist-ributer, of a key-board, its connections, and mechanism, substantially as described, between the hammer-gate and key-board, an automatically-adjustable hammer, a gate, a switch- IIO plate, and elastic tubes, and typemecever, sub- In testimony whereof We afx our signa-tures stantially as set forth, wherebythe type are in presence of two Witnesses. taken from the galley and distributed, sub- LORENZO DOW. stantially as described. DANIEL POWERS.

5 16. The automatically-adj ustable hammer Witnesses:

H and pivoted piece H and H2, as described, HENRY BAYLIES,

and for the purposes described. l A. C. KENNEY. 

